Dr. Jeff Collum, Superintendent of Conway Public Schools, is proud of the tremendous success of last week’s district-wide STEAM Night—an event that celebrated the power of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics across our community.
Held at Conway High School, the event brought together students, families, educators, and a wide range of community partners for an evening full of hands-on learning, creativity, and innovation.
“STEAM Night is a perfect example of how we bring learning to life in Conway Public Schools,” said Dr. Collum. “It was inspiring to see our students fully engaged and our community so connected.I am so grateful to Mr. Kelly and staff for working hard on this great event.”
A very special thank you goes to Mr. Matt Kelly, principal of Ruth Doyle Middle School, who led the charge in organizing and executing this large-scale event with excellence.
“Watching our students light up as they explored all the exhibits made every bit of planning worth it,” said Mr. Kelly. “It was truly a team effort, and I’m so proud of what we accomplished. Even on a stormy evening, we had a fantastic turnout.”
STEAM Night Highlights Included:
Attendees enjoyed a dynamic showcase of booths, demonstrations, and interactive exhibits, featuring local organizations, state agencies, and CPSD educators and students.
Arkansas State Police: Bomb Squad, drones, SWAT team, and crowd-favorite robo-dog Buford
Conway High School Wampus Cat Robotics Team: Live demonstrations
Arkansas Game and Fish: Live aquarium
Arkansas SkyDome Planetarium: Mobile planetarium experience
Arkansas Office of the State Geologist: Earthquake science displays
University of Central Arkansas: Makerspace activities, rock cycle, instant snow, vinegar balloons, chromatography, UV beads, coding bracelets, and much more
Museum of Discovery: "Awesome Science Show"
Cedar Valley Carvings: Live log carving with artist Alex Ward
Hendrix College: Multiple STEAM booths
Jessica Jones & Kristy Linville: Live mural painting and local artwork
Conway Fire Department: Ladder truck tour
Conway Police Department: SWAT display, drones, and SRO info
Cynergistics: Energy and efficiency booth
Nabholz & Origin Engineering: Virtual reality and hands-on engineering displays
Baptist Health: Brain inflatable and laparoscopy simulator
United States Military: Recruitment and informational booth
ASAP Personnel Services: Job opportunities and hiring info
Fly Petit Jean, LLC: Displayed balloon basket
Fast Drone Repair
Garver
Conway Public Schools extends a heartfelt thank you to all of the organizations, agencies, businesses, and volunteers who generously gave their time, resources, and expertise to make STEAM Night such a memorable and meaningful event for our students and families.
CPSD's own 5–12 teachers played a huge role—showcasing robotics, 3D printing, electric circuits, and art. They also served as volunteers, guides, hospitality team members, and raffle organizers.
The Windgate Gallery brought in an impressive display of student and local artwork, and Centennial Bank kept attendees fueled with complimentary hotdogs and chips. Food trucks like Kona Ice added a sweet touch to the evening.
STEAM Night proved once again that learning can be exciting, hands-on, and deeply connected to the real world. Conway Public Schools is grateful for every student, staff member, parent, and partner who made this night such a success.
Together, we continue to ASCEND—fueling curiosity, sparking innovation, and celebrating the incredible talents of our students.
